American Idol winner Phillip Phillips underwent eight separate kidney surgeries since the start of the competition, the singer's father (also named Phillip Phillips) said in an interview with People.

"He's been doing [well], but it's just grueling hours and it's just amazing what he's done through the journey," the elder Phillips said. "Eight operations since we started American Idol . . . He's hitting 50 percent, but he's still up there swinging away."

The season 11 Idol champ battled through a buildup of kidney stones throughout the competition and will undergo another surgery to reconstruct his kidneys before heading out on tour with the rest of this year's finalists. He's expected to make a full recovery.

"I had some bad days," Phillilps told Rolling Stone of his ailment. "I had some good days, but it was rough at times. There were a few times that I thought about getting out and getting the surgery done. I had really good doctors. My doctors helped me out a bunch, and I am really blessed."

Phillips' father said the recovery should be two to four weeks. "He's healthy, he's good. His kidneys are good. I can't wait for America and the whole world to see him [after his surgery], because he's a big cut-up. He's going to have some fun."